No decision made yet on future of Athlone Mail Centre

No decision has been made regarding the future of Athlone Mail Centre, Minister for Communications Denis Naughten informed the Dáil on Thursday of last week (May 11 ).

The Minister was questioned on the future of the centre by Fianna Fáil Deputy for Longford-Westmeath, Robert Troy.

A report is currently being carried out on the status of the mail centres in Athlone, Portlaoise, Cork, and Dublin. The findings will be presented shortly, with the closure of a Midlands mail centre reckoned to be a likely recommendation.

“The An Post network and its mail distribution centres face uncertain times,” Deputy Troy said. “The Bobby Kerr report is with the Government and the McKinsey report is currently under way. There is huge anxiety and worry among the employees of An Post in the mail distribution centre in Athlone and in other areas of the An Post network.

“The Minister with responsibility might update the House on when we can expect these reports to be published and debated in the Dáil, and on when we can expect a clear roadmap for the future of the An Post network and the mail distribution centres.”

Minister Naughten said that the future of the Athlone Mail Centre is an issue close to his heart.

“The issue of the mail centres is also close to my heart, given there is one in my home town of Athlone,” Minister Naughten said. “No decision has been made in regard to any of these. The board is considering reports that are being produced by the company.

“The board has discussed some of these issues to date but no decisions have yet been made and there will have to be extensive engagement with the group of unions and with the IPU. I understand the IPU has already commenced engagement with management.”

The issue of the future of the Athlone Mail Centre is said to be causing huge concern and worry for the centre’s 183 workers who are now anxiously waiting on the report’s recommendations.